Construction firm Kier has commenced work on delivering new, purpose-built teaching facilities accommodation to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. The school’s existing campus-style site will be enhanced by removing a number of older buildings and replacing these with a single three-storey teaching block and a separate activity studio.
Wates has completed work on the first Net Zero school as part of the Department for Education (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, the £10 million Littleborough Community Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The 2,243sq m two-storey project, has been constructed on land within the existing Littleborough campus. It will provide
Liverpool City Council has given the go-ahead to Peel L&P’s plans to develop a Central Park. The proposals include a new public park and essential infrastructure to enable the delivery of approximately 2350 homes. Located within the Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters, just south of Collingwood Dock by the
Manchester City Council has announced next steps for the once in a generation transformation of Collyhurst Village. This comes as the joint venture between Manchester City Council and Far East Consortium has now appointed a masterplanning team for future phases of development. Collyhurst is one of the first areas to
Liverpool City Council has approved plans, submitted by build to rent provider Placefirst, for the final phase of its Welsh Streets neighbourhood. This comes shortly after The Welsh Streets was named as Housing Development of the Year at the Insider North West Residential Property Awards in January. The development will
Stepnell is preparing to start construction work to transform the Northampton historic market square. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working with the construction firm to carry out a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the area,. Prior to construction works starting, investigations had to take place to identify any potential risks and define
The UK Government is to release the final £16.5 million of the £23.7m Town Deal funding awarded to Camborne, after it approved four projects to revamp and revitalise Camborne town centre as part of the Camborne Town Deal programme. The plans include community facilities and green spaces, new shared workspace,
Muse and Poplar HARCA have selected McAleer & Rushe to build over 270 homes at Stroudley Walk in London. A total of 115 of the 274 homes will be available through London Affordable Rent and shared ownership at Stroudley Walk. Works are to start on site imminently and completion of
Wirral Council has approved plans to build The Maritime Knowledge Hub at Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters. The Hub will be a high-level industrial and maritime facility, supporting the region’s £5 billion maritime ecosystem where research and innovation will focus on making the most of the incredible opportunities that decarbonisation of
A consultation has launched over plans to develop a sustainable housing scheme and new public parkland at land west of Elton Reservoir in Bury. Residents of Radcliffe and Bury are being asked for their feedback on Peel L&P’s proposals which include new open spaces and parkland with leisure and nature
Construction firm Kier has commenced work on delivering new, purpose-built teaching facilities accommodation to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. The school’s existing campus-style site will be enhanced by removing a number of older buildings and replacing these with a single three-storey teaching block and a separate activity studio. The new three-storey block will include various teaching facilities and is designed to support the school’s goal of being net zero carbon in operation. PV panels on the roof, enhanced insulation levels, ground-source and air-source heat pumps will help the school achieve its sustainability goals and reduce operating costs. In addition to the three-storey block and activity studio, an existing single storey block on the site will be refurbished, with extensions added to enhance the school’s sixth form facilities and to provide a bespoke area for the special educational needs department. Externally, a new central courtyard will be built, providing additional seating and a performance stage. The parking facilities are being remodelled and an existing Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is being moved and replaced. To deliver the works, Kier will use its new design platform kSchool, which creates unique designs for a school, with considerations for how the curriculum will be delivered and how best to make use of the site. kSchool is the evolution of Kier’s design guidelines, which are based both on our experience in delivering over 200 projects for the Department for Education since 2007, and through listening to our clients. “This school was founded over 639 years ago and the buildings we’re upgrading were built post-war, so for us providing 21st Century accommodation is a real honour and something that we, as a Gloucestershire-based business, are incredibly proud of. Not only does this project further evidence our expertise in delivering state-of-the-art sustainable schools but also demonstrates our innovative kSchool design platform,” said Andy Bolas, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales. The project was procured through the Department for Education (DfE) CF17 Framework, and work is expected to finish in Spring 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates has completed work on the first Net Zero school as part of the Department for Education (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, the £10 million Littleborough Community Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The 2,243sq m two-storey project, has been constructed on land within the existing Littleborough campus. It will provide 14 new classrooms, a library, a new sports/assembly hall, Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and a 420-place primary school providing 60 places for each year group along with a 26-place nursery. Procured through the DfE’s Modern Methods of Construction framework, the scheme used our Adapt 3.0 component-based design to maximise sustainability and ensure the building is Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO). This included an optimised thermal envelope with increased insulation and large, triple glazed windows to maximise daylight together with rooflights and lightwells, enhanced ventilation and Photovoltaic solar panels. “Littleborough represents a step change in how schools are built, designed to not only provide brilliant, state-of-the-art learning facilities for pupils, but for the long-term benefit of the wider environment. We’ve been a partner to the DfE for years and it was an honour to be chosen to deliver this pioneering project. It’s benefited from the latest evolution of our Adapt system, while our experience using MMC to find sustainability solutions – for both public and private builds – has helped us deliver the DfE’s NZCiO goal. I congratulate all our teams on making this happen and look forward to our next completion,” said Sarah Cooke, regional director for the Northwest at Wates. As part of Our Social Value commitments, £3.6m worth of initiatives were delivered to the local community, including nearly £80,000 invested in local charities and causes. All targets were exceeded, with 1,500 training weeks provided as well as a T-Level placement, 39 apprentices employed, and site visits and career advice given to 92 local students. The project is the first to be completed as part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme a 10-year scheme of works which is seeing the rebuilding or refurbishment of 500 schools and sixth form colleges across the country, transforming learning environments for pupils and teachers. Construction started in September 2021 with all works carried out while the existing school was still in operation. The project has been delivered on time, and completion was celebrated with an event attended by delegates from across the delivery partnership, Rochdale Borough Council and the DfE. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has given the go-ahead to Peel L&P’s plans to develop a Central Park. The proposals include a new public park and essential infrastructure to enable the delivery of approximately 2350 homes. Located within the Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters, just south of Collingwood Dock by the historic Tobacco Warehouse, Central Park will become one of the city’s largest green spaces, spanning 1.9 hectares, and will form an important part of the next stage of the Liverpool Waters development. The approved plans also include the creation of a network of public spaces in the Central Docks neighbourhood, with green streets and rain gardens; the delivery of high-quality public realm; and new street infrastructure, such as high-quality footpaths and a variety of street types to support vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Hundreds of trees will also be planted across the Central Docks neighbourhood. The development of this 11ha site will enable and accelerate the delivery of around 2,350 homes over the next 10 years, in line with the Liverpool Waters Central Docks Neighbourhood Masterplan. This planning application and the development it will enable demonstrates the scale of ambition for Liverpool Waters and the transformative impact it will have on this historic brownfield site. Coastal and woodland planting, wetland planting, community gardens and open parkland will all help to create a unique, world class environment at Central Park, celebrating the site’s post-industrial heritage and its coastal locality. The park will also include shelters and canopies, areas for sport, recreation and fitness, and spaces designed to support local wildlife. Connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between the city centre, Princes Dock, Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, and the city’s northern docks will also be significantly improved as part of this development. Central Docks will become the largest of the five planned neighbourhoods in Liverpool Waters and will directly enable the delivery of thousands of new homes, alongside commercial, retail, leisure and community developments over the next ten years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council has announced next steps for the once in a generation transformation of Collyhurst Village. This comes as the joint venture between Manchester City Council and Far East Consortium has now appointed a masterplanning team for future phases of development. Collyhurst is one of the first areas to be developed as part of the major Victoria North regeneration programme being delivered by the joint venture, which will see 15,000 new homes built across seven new and emerging neighbourhoods in north Manchester over the next two decades. With site works having begun to deliver 274 new low carbon homes – including 130 homes for social rent – alongside a new community park and commercial space, the JV is turning its attention to delivering the longer-term vision for both neighbourhoods. Outlined in an update to the Collyhurst regeneration plan, the JV intends to work with a masterplanning team to develop a street-by-street plan that builds on the vision set out in the 2019 Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for Victoria North. The masterplanning team includes Mæ (lead architect), Turner.Works (meanwhile use), Schulze+Grassov (landscape and public realm) and IF_DO (community engagement). The team is expected to work with existing local residents to shape the design of potential new homes, streets and parks, with a programme of public engagement due to begin in the coming months. This will include a range of interactive events and activities, which will be inclusive and accessible to all members of the community. The community engagement programme is likely to involve workshops and consultation events to gather the views of local residents and get their feedback, a series of community design sessions involving residents, exhibitions and online engagement. Initial modelling undertaken as part of the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for Victoria North indicates the potential for up to 3,000 new homes The 2019 SRF for Victoria North sets out the potential for up to 3,000 new homes – with a key focus on affordability – to be built in Collyhurst through a process of long-term and phased estate remodelling. Future housing investment would be delivered alongside new local services and amenities, public realm and transport infrastructure, including investment in active travel. Any future development would build on meaningful community engagement and consultation to ensure local people remain at the heart of the investment proposals. The joint venture will also retain its commitment to support current residents to remain in Collyhurst – as a single move to a newly built property – so they can benefit from the investment in the area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has approved plans, submitted by build to rent provider Placefirst, for the final phase of its Welsh Streets neighbourhood. This comes shortly after The Welsh Streets was named as Housing Development of the Year at the Insider North West Residential Property Awards in January. The development will deliver a terrace of 13 new homes, including a mix of three-bedroom family homes and apartments. Three of the properties will be designed to be fully wheelchair accessible and the scheme will also include a new community hub where Placefirst’s dedicated resident services manager will be based. Designed by MBED Architects, Phase 6 will create a traditional terrace that has been carefully considered to be in-keeping with the existing street scene and character of the surrounding area, adding to the high-quality, energy efficient homes Placefirst has created to date. Other members of the team include Curtins (engineers) and WSP (on planning). Placefirst worked closely with Liverpool City Council on the plans to bring the Welsh Streets land situated between High Park Street, Wynnstay Street and Kelvin Grove forward. The new accessible community hub will allow Placefirst to continue its focus on community engagement initiatives, with a strong on site presence. With Phase 6, the Welsh Streets neighbourhood will total just under 300 single-family BTR homes, a mix of refurbished and new build. Placefirst has invested over £40m into the project to date, with residents contributing an annual £1.7m spend to the local economy. Construction on the final phase will commence later this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stepnell is preparing to start construction work to transform the Northampton historic market square. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working with the construction firm to carry out a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the area,. Prior to construction works starting, investigations had to take place to identify any potential risks and define clear strategies to address them. WNC and Stepnell have completed ground investigations in Northampton using Danaher Walsh and a leading geotechnical firm. This involved digging 15 trial holes and 12 boreholes in locations identified by the project team over a four-week period. The area must be carefully excavated, taking, and investigating samples that will inform how the market square is transformed. This is in addition to the ground investigations completed during the design development stage. While this work has been ongoing an archaeologist has been ensuring the redevelopment does not cause harm to potential archaeology in the ground. “This is an important project in the transformation and regeneration of the town centre, the market square is a site of historical significance, so it is vital that the essential investigations are carried out to ensure that works are delivered to the highest standard. With the necessary preparation works underway we look forward the next stage of the construction process that will be intensifying in the coming weeks,” said Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth. Following extensive research, the only viable location for the market to be temporarily relocated to while the extensive construction takes place was Commercial St Car Park, as other areas in the town, including Abington St which is due to begin works on the new public realm later this year, are due to be transformed in the coming months as part of the wider town regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK Government is to release the final £16.5 million of the £23.7m Town Deal funding awarded to Camborne, after it approved four projects to revamp and revitalise Camborne town centre as part of the Camborne Town Deal programme. The plans include community facilities and green spaces, new shared workspace, a theatre and a youth café. The funds will be awarded to Cornwall Council at the end of March. The announcement follows the review by Government of the plans for the Town Centre Regeneration programme, which include: Basset Centre and White House The adjoining Basset Centre and White House on Basset Road will be redeveloped by Camborne Town Council, into a state-of-the-art facility that includes high quality communal spaces, a youth café, exciting heritage interpretation and an updated library and resource centre. There will also be a flexible performance space for a range of entertainment and community purposes. Co-working space The project will bring a long-term disused building back into use as a modern co-working space; which will encourage further footfall to the town centre; as well as support our local entrepreneurs to thrive. Camborne Renew Cornwall Council will deliver improvements to the town centre’s streets and public spaces to create a more accessible, sustainable and appealing place to live, work, shop and visit. Kerrier Way The Town Council will lead on the enhancement and landscaping of a brownfield site near Tesco to create a community green space for all to benefit from and enjoy. This will create a green gateway to the town centre and provide community space for local residents. These projects complement the seven other Town Deal funded projects announced last September, which will enable the full delivery of the vision set out in the Town Investment Plan, of increasing the vitality of Camborne while celebrating its rich heritage. Following agreement of the funding allocation by Government, these transformational projects are now focussed on putting the necessary agreements in place to enable funding drawdown and project delivery. Across the town, projects follow different delivery timelines, with some expected to finish next year while others will complete at the end of the programme in March 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Muse and Poplar HARCA have selected McAleer & Rushe to build over 270 homes at Stroudley Walk in London. A total of 115 of the 274 homes will be available through London Affordable Rent and shared ownership at Stroudley Walk. Works are to start on site imminently and completion of the regeneration scheme is expected in Winter 2025. “We are excited to deliver a thriving new neighbourhood of all-electric homes and a fantastic public realm space for all of the community to enjoy for years to come. This regeneration scheme represents our fourth project working with Muse and we are delighted to work in partnership with Poplar HARCA for the first time. It is important to us as a company to integrate ourselves in the communities we operate in, and we look forward to establishing a relationship with local residents and businesses to leave a lasting and positive legacy,” said Jonathan O’Neill, Senior Director at McAleer & Rushe. Designed by RM_A Architects, the vibrant new neighbourhood in Bromley by Bow, is focused on creating a safe and thriving place, complete with a new pocket park and part-pedestrianised street, with a new community café alongside other retail spaces for the whole community to enjoy. “With our partners at Poplar HARCA and now with our contractor, McAleer & Rushe, we’re committed to building a brighter future, together, to benefit everyone in the local area. Our regeneration at Stroudley Walk provides a real opportunity to do this, with much-needed affordable homes, coupled with exciting, new public spaces, to create a safe and welcoming place for all,” added Isabelle Asante, Senior Development Manager at Muse. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wirral Council has approved plans to build The Maritime Knowledge Hub at Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters. The Hub will be a high-level industrial and maritime facility, supporting the region’s £5 billion maritime ecosystem where research and innovation will focus on making the most of the incredible opportunities that decarbonisation of the global $3trillion maritime sector brings. The Hub will also include business accelerator space and conference facilities for both the marine sector and the local business community. Designed by architects Ellis Williams Architects, the Maritime Knowledge Hub will be an architectural landmark and is set to be one of the most important parts of the entire Wirral Waters regeneration project, which will drive economic growth and job creation to the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Set within the existing 19th century Hydraulic Tower building and Engine House, originally designed by Jesse Hartley’s son, John Bernard Hartley, as a copy of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Maritime Knowledge Hub project will breathe new life into the building. The architects and design team worked to maximise the sustainability of the project whilst retaining as much of the building’s original character as possible, complementing the iconic tower with the creation of a new 4 storey extension to accommodate some of the country’s most famous and innovative maritime organisations. The facility will be industry led and will drive research and innovation by bringing education, businesses and Government together within the maritime sector. Support for the sector is critical to the economy – with a direct turnover of £55billion, and an overall economic impact of £116bn to the UK, the UK’s maritime sector contributes more than rail and aviation combined. The world leading research and innovation within the Maritime Knowledge Hub will have a particular focus on the decarbonisation of the maritime industry as well as technology transfer from other industries. It will also bring education, employers and businesses together to drive innovation and research within the marine and maritime sectors. Wirral Council granted planning permission yesterday after the application was submitted in May 2022. Project partners include Peel L&P, Mersey Maritime, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council, alongside a number of industry partners. It is expected that the project will be on site in 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A consultation has launched over plans to develop a sustainable housing scheme and new public parkland at land west of Elton Reservoir in Bury. Residents of Radcliffe and Bury are being asked for their feedback on Peel L&P’s proposals which include new open spaces and parkland with leisure and nature uses, health facilities, new primary schools and improved access to Radcliffe to support the ongoing regeneration of the local area. New transport improvements and more sustainable travel options would ease congestion around Bury and Radcliffe town centres including a new link road connecting Bury in the north with Radcliffe in the south. This will provide a new north-south travel corridor including a high-quality bus route and safer facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. There could also be a new Metrolink station and travel hub at Warth Fold. The project represents an investment worth half a billion pounds to the area and brings further economic benefits to both towns creating 240 full time jobs each year during construction and over 100 additional jobs for residents. The proposals would also see over £75 million spent in local shops and leisure facilities by new residents and a council tax revenue for Bury Council of £9m to help improve local services further. The land west of Elton Reservoir is included in the emerging Places for Everyone (PfE) plan, which sets out how each borough can meet the local need for new homes, jobs and sustainable growth. PfE has earmarked the site for up to 3,500 new homes which would include affordable housing options and homes to buy or rent for families, first-time buyers and downsizers as well as retirement and extra care living. Homes would be highly energy efficient and sustainably designed, to lower running costs for residents. The plans have been formed around the Elton and Withins reservoirs, which will be retained and enhanced, and seek to complement the current natural landscape. Over two-thirds of the site will remain as green space and parkland and the planned new neighbourhood would be well-connected to nature, with green space that will be made more accessible to all and extend beyond the current rights of way to help improve people’s health and wellbeing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
